To whet your appetite, here's a choice extract from each of Catherine's conversations with Larry, Adam, Edge and Bono - on playing.

LARRY ON DRUMMING

C So, just to go back a little, is your prep time in the studio akin to Edge's prep time, where he spoke about getting back to Malibu and being on his own with the music, do you have a similar relationship with the music?

L Hmmm... drumming is, I think, quite different, being on your own with the music would not be the same for me as it would be for Edge. Drumming is a visceral, violent discipline and for those who are not specialized in the field, like me (I am a street drummer, I have had a few lessons here and there), there is nothing romantic about this relationship. It is pure violence and that is the way I like to have it! (big smile). Now, that said, when you are working with the band, occasionally you have to bring flowers...

ADAM ON PLAYING

C So, in terms of how you would see the bass player's role and what you bring into any given situation, is your focus on where Edge is going or where Bono is going? Obviously, you and Larry are a team in a certain way...

A In situations where it is one, two, three, go, as it often is at the early stages of the record, the bass department has a few different jobs to do. First and foremost, I am trying to support what is going on so that things can fly. Then when there are bits of audio real estate, where something needs to happen, those are my little opportunities to pop things in on a creative level. That was very much true for 'Being Born' and 'No Line on the Horizon'. There were moments, like on a bird's first flight, where you don't want to drop the ball, you want to support everyone else, for example as Larry is settling on a drum part and Edge is trying to figure out his chords, Bono may be trying some new vocal range, you want to help keep all of this up in the air...

EDGE ON SONGWRITING

C When you are in a situation where you are presenting something musically to everybody, is that nerve wracking? Do you get attached to the pieces before you present?

E I can't really get too attached to anything I offer up or the collaborative process would be too difficult. I really have to kind of see my song ideas as orphans. Just let them go, and see which ones survive. I can come up with something I think is brilliant, but if it doesn't get Bono, Adam or Larry excited, and unless they can add to it, then it is never going to go anywhere. Sometimes I have to let go of what I think are gems, grit my teeth when something I have spent ages on is torn apart and thrown in the dustbin in front of my eyes. But you know the best ones always survive, and if you are going to be too precious about your personal work, then don't be in a rock 'n' roll band.

BONO ON LYRICS

C Do you call these characters your muses? Have you allowed these characters to invade you or have you invaded them?

B Now that's a very good question, who is invading who? Hmmm, I don't know, but if you want to talk about "Being Born", well, I'm not sure why it's called 'Being Born', but it's about this character who is going a bit AWOL. Who takes a road trip, who just takes off to rediscover who he is and to refind his first love. In my head, the traffic cop is from Morocco, he is certainly African-French, he heads down through France, through Spain towards Cadiz. He's heading for a little place near Cadiz, a little surfing town called Tarifa. At night, when the sun goes down, you can see across the water to the hills of Africa. Africa and Europe are only eight miles, thirteen kilometres, from each other. The real important thing to know about this song is the sense of speed and this kind of primeval drive to get back to your essence... The engines roar, blood curdling wail / Head first then foot / Then heart set sail. As you know from our DNA's point of view, Africa is where we all come from, so I suppose I relate in some strange way to this feeling of Africa as home, I really do, and I'm not the only European that does. Especially somewhere like the Masi Mara in Kenya, which local legend claims to be the Garden of Eden. I've been brought to tears by the sheer beauty and scale of the natural diversity of this place. Sorry, I digress...

COMMENTS

Edge- I've been ripping your sound off for years to cover my drunk, sloppy guitar jamming for years. The delay hides my lazy, self-taught, ill-informed leads but it all surprisingly works for me. Just wanted to say "thanks" and admitting I completely steal your stuff. Saw you guys first in 1985 in Philly, then Hershey 8-10 years later, and hopefully summer of 2010 back in Philly as a b-day present to my daughter that my wife was pregnant with when we saw U2 in 1999 in Tempe, AZ!

dreday

31 October, 2009

A real contributor

Only 17 comments...Larry nearly sets the basis for the melody for U2. Keep playing as you guys are the greatest. Thanks for making the band what it is. Elvis would be asking Larry what to do differently to be better. Rock on!

StaceyHurn

24 October, 2009

EDGE- Collaborative

Oh how i can relate. If everyone could bring what they love best to the table, but be humble enough to have it tweeked and twisted with your friends' best of intentions and love, there would be alot more great music out there. Caught you in ATL for 360. Bet you guys don't remember Birmingham, Al in 1989, I think- Edge, you stayed at my friends dorm room! Bono, dinner at Highland's restaurant, driving across country in a van. That's when we were all so new. Keep yourselves humble, and your message strong- Stacey Hurn Alabama

TommyEckl

20 October, 2009

Thank You for more than 20 Years of Real

This is why i always will love your music, its right from your heart. thank you very much for more than 20 years of lucky days with your music. the love of my life,i my beatiful wife tina and have been dancing to with or without you, all iwant is you, one my lucky son julian is born to your song beatiful days. our family is touched with u2 in a spcial form. so thank you very much
thomas from bavaria

All of your music sounds like you have all come together at one time in one space and captured the essence of that moment in a song. Your candidness is unique.

richie joshuaramone

19 May, 2009

u2 always and forever

for a certain time i`ve been feelling so sad and so boring(musically bored),but thank GOD ,u2 exist,and they do music like they do so spiritual ,so profound,so full of meaning...sometimes it seems ,they`re thinking the same as i,and it`s beeing like that for a long time !thank GOD for them existi in my life

biglab

06 May, 2009

biglab

Its amazing how Adam sneaks in and steals these songs with these funky bass lines. Its like the one member who showed up not knowing how to play is teaching everyone how to get the funk out!

dub97

30 April, 2009

on "Unknown Caller"

...Also, all humility aside,ifthe bandplays "Unknown Caller" during the tour, I think towards the end of that performance, the singer should turn facing the band andgo down on one knee in gracious thanks for the musicianship in that song. ...I may very well be compelled to do so.

mattyjchapin

30 April, 2009

Wise Words

I like Edge's words on hisown personal work are wise. Good advice for any job. Bono cracks me up! I find it funny how he bails out when he realizes he might be talking too deep. So, funny. Love his depth though.

daddysgirl

29 April, 2009

Not Orphans

Dear Edge the Awsomest guitar mistro, I think you should see them as your buddhist mandalas, NOT ORPHANS :)

Muz1973

28 April, 2009

Very good

Yeah , got the box set also, very good read, great pics :)

dub97

28 April, 2009

Cedars of Lebanon

Didn't know where to pop this in but have been meaning to for a while. I am growing more and more fond of thetremendous song,'Cedars of Lebanon'; particularly theidea of playing dual grace notesfor the bridge between the bass and the guitar. We need more songs like this!

Consort

28 April, 2009

What an attitude!

If everyone had Edge's unselfish attitude, the world would be a better place!

interu2005

27 April, 2009

I Got the Magazine

And really great photos there great work

nat 2A

26 April, 2009

all wonderful

the "box format " is wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!

cindyhg

25 April, 2009

Edge on Songwriting

This is why U2 survives and stays relevant. Their respect for one another's talent, and their lifelong bond with and concern for each other, is unparalleled. We will not see a band like this again.

scrumpy

25 April, 2009

Thanks Boys for Your Time

Thanks for giving us your time and keeping in touch with us mere mortals. Poor Larry, I had no idea that someone who doesn't specialize in playing the drums could be so amazing. Imagine how fantastic you would be if you did. ( Ha Ha )

scrumpy

24 April, 2009

Thanks Boys For The Chat

I can't help but feel sad for all of Edge's little orphans. Thanks for the insight into what goes on behind the scenes. Keep it coming you Legends.